This Matcha Is Approachable and Affordable—and Makes the Perfect Stocking Stuffer

Though it’s been consumed in China and Japan for over a millennium, matcha has seen a monumental boom in popularity in the United States over the last few years. Given its skyrocketing status, it’s now easier than ever to find high-quality matcha to make at home—which is great news for matcha lovers like me. It’s also excellent news for the family and friends of matcha lovers, because a tested-and-approved matcha powder also makes a fantastic gift. 

I wouldn’t call myself a matcha expert, but I did research it deeply and tried 14 varieties when I wrote our review. Out of all the ones I tried, the Rishi Everyday Matcha Tea was my top recommendation for beginners and daily drinkers, and the one I highly recommend gifting to any matcha drinker in your life. 

Why It Won Our Review

It’s Really Tasty

Matcha, especially low-quality powder, has a reputation for being bitter and astringent. Bitterness isn’t all bad—I think a touch of it is a part of matcha’s appeal—but it should be well balanced with vegetal freshness and a rich, umami undertone. The Rishi Tea Everyday Matcha does this well with notes of underripe peach and matcha’s signature grassiness, with just enough bitterness to keep it present when paired with milk. It’s not as savory as some of the more pricey matchas I tried, so it’s a super approachable blend for newbies.

It’s Affordable

The Rishi Tea Everyday Matcha was one of the most affordable matchas I tasted. It was also on par with or better than several other first-harvest, ceremonial-grade matchas I tried, though it was ungraded. The Everyday Matcha is grown by organic farmers in the Kagoshima region of Japan and uses a mix of first- and second-harvest leaves. This makes it a budget-friendly option without compromising on flavor. 

It’s Versatile

Though it’s delicious when prepared on its own or in a latte, the Everyday Matcha is inexpensive enough that you can use it to experiment with other matcha goodies, too. I like to put a scoop into my strawberry smoothies in the morning, or whisk it and top it with sparkling water and a splash of fruit juice to make a refreshing afternoon tonic. Instead of buying a too-large bag of overly bitter culinary-grade matcha your giftee will never use up, the small tin of Everyday Matcha is potent enough to use a few tablespoons to flavor matcha ice cream or a summery strawberry and matcha tiramisu. 

How to Put Together a Lovely Matcha Gift Set

On its own, a tin of the Everyday Matcha makes a magnificent stocking stuffer. If you want to make it a present that’s worthy of putting under the tree, just round it out with some extra items. Here are a few things I’d recommend:

• A handheld milk frother for easy-peasy matcha lattes
• A matcha bowl and whisk (aka chawan and chasen) set for traditional preparations
• An electric kettle and mug for warm matchas 
• A tall drinking glass for swirly iced lattes
• Reusable straws for stylish sipping

More Gift Ideas for Tea Drinkers

• This iconic Le Creuset Whistling Tea Kettle is our favorite stovetop boiler; it heats water fast and has a nostalgic trill, to boot.
• For tea perfectionists, get our top electric pick from Fellow. It can heat water to specific temperatures and keep it hot for an hour afterward for refills.
• Editor Rochelle Bilow is an avid tea drinker, and Art of Tea Tali’s Masala Chai is her favorite to warm up with on dreary afternoons. For a caffeine-free floral blend, she recommends the cardamom and chamomile-scented Hibiscus Rose Herbal Tea from Vahdam.
• Brewing loose-leaf tea leaves is a hassle without a proper infuser (read: one that keeps fine leaves contained and creates minimal mess when removed from steaming cups). Luckily, our top performer from Fenshine is only $10.
• For those who like incorporating functional ingredients into their beverages, gift a bag of Joe'y mushroom-based coffee alternative. It's actually made from cacao, cordyceps, and chicory, so it yields a comforting (and gently energizing) brew with no coffee involved.

Why We’re the Experts

• Ashlee Redger is a writer for Serious Eats and has written dozens of reviews for the site.
• She recently taste-tested 14 matcha powders and, while she liked many of them, the Rishi Tea Everyday Matcha has become her go-to.